Reporting and In-Depth Information

How to Contact the Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch at CDC

The general public and health care providers should first call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) with questions regarding typhus fevers and other rickettsial diseases. If a consultation with a CDC scientist specializing in rickettsial diseases is advised, your call will be appropriately forwarded.

Case Definitions

Currently, scrub typhus, murine typhus, and epidemic typhus are not nationally notifiable conditions; however, your state may require notification. Please check with your state and local health departments about reportable diseases.

How to Submit Specimens to CDC for Typhus Fever Testing

Commercial tests for Orientia tsutsugamushi and Rickettsia prowazekii are not widely available in the United States. Rickettsia typhi tests may be available in some locations. If typhus fevers are suspected, specimens may be submitted to the CDC for IFA, IHC, PCR, or culture isolation. Private citizens may not directly submit specimens to CDC for testing. If you feel that diagnostic testing is necessary, consult your health care provider or state health department.

State Health Departments

Specimens may be submitted to CDC for testing for rickettsial diseases, including scrub typhus, murine typhus and epidemic typhus. To coordinate specimen submission, please call 404-639-1075 during business hours (8:00 – 4:30 EST).

U.S. Health Care Providers

U.S. health care providers should not submit specimens for testing directly to CDC. CDC policy requires that specimens be submitted through or with the approval of the state health department. Please contact your state health department, which will assist you with specimen submission and reporting of an infected patient. For general questions about typhus fevers or other rickettsial diseases, please call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636). If you have questions about a suspect case, please first consult your state health department. Health care providers requiring an epidemiologic consultation on rickettsial diseases may also call 404-639-1075 during business hours (8:00 – 4:30 EST) or 770-488-7100 after hours.

Health Care Providers Outside of the United States

Health care providers outside of the United States should consult CDC prior to submitting specimens for testing. For general questions about typhus fevers, please call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) or (888-232-6348). If you would like to discuss a suspect rickettsial case with CDC, please call 404-639-1075 during business hours (8:00 – 4:30 EST) or 770-488-7100 after hours.